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Alex Capra New user Frankfurt, Germany 28 Posts |
Hi everyone!
Want to share my busking experience - I have just started this month and have a looong road ahead. But first I would like to thank you all for creating such a great place as a sidewalk shuffle forum. There is really so much information, advice and experience shared here, it's just amazing. So thank everyone one more time! So till that point I've been to the streets 3 times. Here are the initial "conditions". + 1.I've been performing for 5 years already for corporate events, weddings etc + done my one man show + took part in magic competitions. So at least I have some "indoors" experience and have routines that I’ve already done 1000s of times. 2. Communication has always been my strong point, throughout the years I have developed good public speaking and improvisation skills. I believe this is an important thing for a street entertainer. - 1. I moved to Germany last year and my German is far from fluent. Although I understand 90% and can express myself, I can't improvise or joke as easy as I can do it in English or Russian. 2. I have never performed in the streets:) So day 0. I went out there with just a case and an A3 poster "Magic show". Walked around for 2 hours. Couldn't do it. I was terrified by this fact but I understood that streets ARE tough, no matter how much indoor experience one may have. The psychological barrier was too strong for me. Day 1. A friend of mine came to support me. This time I took my table (it's a Spider QBLE table, so it's really big and weights around 6kg - definitely not the most portable equipment to carry around:). Anyway, we go there, I set up a table, put my sign "Magic show". I spent 1.5 hours on the 1st day, did nothing to attract people, just standing there doing some card fans. Nevertheless, people were coming to my table by themselves every 10-15 minutes. In most cases I was just doing 1-2 tricks for a group, they paid a little and walked away. But anyway, the sound of coins in the bucket is great when you hear it for the 1st time and realise that it IS possible to busk and make money:) At the end I even managed to gather a crowd but had no idea of how to hat them in german:) Anyway I got 20Euro bill from one guy and 15 in coins from other people, so it was enough to motivate me. But of course I had no illusions, I knew that next time it would be not that good:) Day 2. Went there alone. Set up my table (that really helps, I just feel comfortable. I understand that it is ME who should attract people, not my table, but at the beginning I believe it is a good psychological trick, just to feel confident). Spent there 2 hours, was standing and doing card flourishes. Once in every 10 minutes someone would come and I would do a trick for them. If they stayed I continued with my show. Day 3. Basically the same thing as day 2 but spent 3.5 hours this time. So after having this tiny experience I have some conclusions and questions:) I would be grateful to hear your opinions. My show is: 1. ACR, ending with a card from the Iphone 2. Sponge balls, finish with 8 balls reveal in spectator's hands 3. C&R rope mixed with fiber optics As I said, all routines tested, I have no doubt about magic and technique itself. So now it comes to being a busker and an entertainer, not a magician. So here are some thoughts mixed with questions:) 1. I feel totally uncomfortable with addressing people in the street. Shouting, talking, anything. I can just stand there and do magic and wait till they come. I know that I should just overcome the barrier, but still, are there any tips? 2. When the crowd starts to gather it's difficult to stop the process. On the 1st day I suddenly realized during my rope routine that I am having a half circle show - around 40 people. I don’t want to play that big yet, just don't feel myself ready, I can't control them (and they also were blocking the busy street). Is there any way one can "limit" a crowd if one is doing a "doorway" act? 3. Extremely difficult to generate applause or any kind of noise. I see that people are amazed and impressed but they don't clap. When I tell them smth like "well, here I usually hear some applause" and smile I get only 30% to clap. Are there any nice ideas or tips on how to make people be loud?:) 4. I also noticed that very often I get 70% of the crowd gathered near the end of the show, when I do the rope. Basically it means that smth is wrong with the previous part of the show. The problem is that ACR is kind of small and people who walk by just don't see what's happening. I believe I should just organize the people from the very beginning, so that all the people walking by can clearly see that it's no just 8 guys standing there and looking at something, but that there is a show happening. But let's still think of an example. You are doing a show for 10 people. You are doing your final effect and there is a group of tourists who join the crowd. They like the end of the show and clap. Certainly, they haven't seen enough to pay you. Would you instantly pull them closer and start a new show for them or let them go? 5. Several times I asked someone to come on stage and he/she refused. It is really a bad moment I believe, because if I move on to another spectator and ask him, I demonstrate that I have no control, it looks like I am begging for help, which is wrong. As I understand, it again goes back to my personality, people should feel relaxed and somehow trust me. I think this is one of the most important things in busking. 6. It is a weird feeling when you just stand there and people are walking by not paying attention. Very soon I realised that it's also part of the job - standing there. Like if you are selling hot dogs, you also don't sell them all the time, you just stand there alone with your hot dogs. How much time on average you stand without doing a show? How do you feel, what are you thinking (may be a stupid question, but still interesting:)? Sorry for the long post, hope it was not too boring:) Will be happy to hear your opinions, experiences and advice. In conclusion I can say that I now feel that busking is great. Will go out there again on Wednesday, now really feel excited! Thank you in advance! Best, Alex |
SugarRayRick Regular user 184 Posts |
Congratulations. I can't offer any advice as I haven't performed in the streets yet. But great to hear of your experiences.
Rich |
ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
STREET SHOW:
1) GET THE CROWD 2) KEEP THE CROWD 3) GET THEM TO PAY STOP - STAY & PAY UNCOMFORTABLE TO ADRESS PEOPLE: you are new to the street and you have learned it is not polite to make noise or shout. You have to learn to let that go. This is where most newby magicians have problems. YOU have to become FREE and FEEL FREE to have fun with them. That is your goal. If you feel free you show confidence and people are atracted to people with confidence. This is hard but you have to gor through that process. Ask a play director to do some excersizes with you. RUSSIAN TALKING GERMAN: perfect. Ask them questions when you don't know the german word. Germans like it when you try to talk thier language. I do it all the time. How do you say in russian thank you? Did you feel the urge to say Spasieba? GETTING APPLAUS: on the street is a process you have to learn. You have to learn to build your tricks to a climax. Read STRONG MAGIC from Darwin Ortiz for help. Also a good book to make your effects clear. Again confidence helps. And be happy when they do what your ask. GROUP IS THERE AT THE END: so you used your show to build the crowd. Think what is that people came? Answer that question now create that when you start your show. You want a crowd when you start. ASKING PEOPLE TO HELP: if people are afraid it is most of the time because they don't know you yet. They have not seen enough of YOU that gives them the confidence "it is ok to help him" so don't start to quick with somebody. First effect do something where you don't need somebody. This gives the people the chance to get to know you. Involve the audience, ask them questions. Ask thier names. Create rapport and communication with them. ACR IDEA: do some comedy shuffles. (move 2 fans = chinese shuffling / Japanese shuffle = shuffle with one hand. Why one hand? They need the other r hand for taking photograpghs etc.) Let somebody touch a card (ask name first) and do 2 phases of ambitious card. Then sign the card (ask name) IDEA: EVERYTIME YOU MAKE THE CARD COME TO THE TOP RING A TABLE BELL! You are making noise, with a reason. You can even pass the bell around (more interaction) and when they ring the bell the card comes to the top. Do you see how I use interaction - questions - noise? There is something GOING ON. Other people will get curious and stop. See the big picture here and HAVE FUN. AFTERTHOUGHT: NON SPECTATOR HELP ROUTINE / use the table bell first for a ball and table bell routine. using the bell to ring every time. then move on to ACR |
mart2 New user 14 Posts |
Alex , your post sounds very much like my limited experiences on the street.
It always takes me ages to get the courage to get started. Usually I sit on a bench just watch people to try and gauge how people are feeling. I then just start playing with something like a coin doing a muscle pass , I just do this for my own ammusment but usually it attracts some attention. The important point is that I don't speak or even look at anyone. This usually gives me the confidence then to actually set up my table and then it becomes obvious to passer's by that I am a performer. I then usually do a levitating coin routine still not speaking I get the mind set that I am the only person there, If people want to stop good if not I will just keep doing this for my own amusement. Like you I am fine with just a few people watching but once a crowd starts to form I feel the unease in me rising. Like all things I guess its just down to experience. Fibre Optics , I do a much shortened version of this. I had to cut it right down because I soon realised that people can't concentrate for more than a few minuets. However this routine as never failed to amaze everyone who see's it. I know that I haven't really given you any real help Alex but because your story sounds so much like mine I thought that it may offer you some support. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Dorogoi Droog!
Alex! Go back and read Robert Blake's post again, and again, and again! To be a busker, you must have chutzpah! (that's Jewish!) --But, then, just performing takes chutzpah! I started out in a carnival side show in the '40s, as a teenager. The late Fred Keating once said, "To be a success as a performer, you should have a season in outdoor show business!" I think my friend, Marshall Brodien (TV Magic Cards, in the '70s) would, tell you the same thing.) OK now go back and read my "other" friend,Robert Blake's post, AGAIN. Robert didn't use the word CONVERSATION, but, that's what he is doing He is holding a conversation. (Me, too!!!) Too many magicians make speeches! Don't talk "TO" or "AT" your audience. Talk "WITH" them. We use PROPS, and SECRETS, to perform a TRICK. --BUT, the PERFORMER, and his PRESENTATION are much more important then the PROP or SECRET. When I was a kid in that sideshow, I had for PROPS, a tin can, a few coins, a piece of rope, a pack of cards, and, I think, 2 bandannas (handkerchiefs). (The Professor's Nightmare, hadn't been "invented" yet.)
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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helder Inner circle Portugal 1065 Posts |
Hi Alex, first congratulations for going out and start doing it.Read and think carefull about what mr Robert Blake wrote,the advices and tips he gave to you, he knows very well what's writing.
I'm a begginner too, you can read my experience here http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......&forum=6 because of that, probably I'm not the best person to give you advices, so, we will call it, something for you to think, instead of advices or tips. First forget the years you have been doing magic indoors, just forget it.I've been doing magic for the last 20 years and as soon as I put my feet on the street I forget it. You can think at this moment '' ah but those years gave me experience, my routines are polished'' and so on, FORGET IT. Why? Ok, because you ask I will answer, busking is not about the tricks, it's about YOU as an entertainer. You can even do a show without a magic trick and get the hat full of money, because on the streets FUN=MONEY. That's it. Is that simple. How we can learn to do this can be described in one simple sentence: KEEP DOING IT. And this is the answer for all your questions. I know that's not what you want to read so I will give you few ideas. 1 - CONNECTION WITH PEOPLE don't hide behind the table, do something in front of it, for example , if you have a purse frame, give it to them saying something like '' Hi, have you seen one of these? It's an invisible purse. You can touch, it's safe, by the way what's your name?'' An unusual prop arouses there curiosity and asking there names you start a relationship with them, you start MAKING FRIENDS. If there's a kid, you can produce a sponge ball from the purse , bring them to the front of the table and DO MAGIC WITH THE KID. 2- For this I see two possible solutions. Find a pitch with less foot traffic or learn how to control them. Confidence helps a lot. 3 and 5 These are easy. You need to EDUCATE them for question 3. They don't know how to behave, teach them. I will show you a video of a professional doing it, watch all show wich is great and have a lot of things for us to learn but look especially after 1:30 and you will see what I mean by educate them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyXUS-KWmiU learn the tecniques and adapt them to your personality, your show. If you do this it will help you with question 5 because he does that for another reason, putting them ACTING AS A SINGLE ELEMENT and not as a group of strangers, of individual pieces. There are another wonderfull tecniques he's doing but I will let those for you to discover. By the way, here he's doing the show indoors, but he does it on the streets too, around the world. 4- Interesting, reading the question I realize that the answer for 3 and 5 helps a lot here too. But there's something more, if they gathered by the end of the show probably you are starting the show too soon. I will give you the example of what I'm doing now, it's more or less like this: if I get a group of people in front of me while I'm setting up my table and props, I start the fase of control and educate them, wich makes noise and it's done with jokes in the middle , so we have noise and fun, this will atract more people, and no magic yet. Remember THE CROWD GETS THE CROWD NOT YOU. Then I do a quick effect, currently it's my One Coin Routine, then a trick with a kid ( Ambitious Card, using a room belt as the cause of magic effect) and if I have a good crowd I end with cups and balls. If I don't have a good crowd at the end of Ambitious Card, I can put them clapping and cheer to atract more people, if there are people around, and I finish with cups and balls, or I just end with Ambitious card, my presentation for it is The Best Card Trick of The World, so they have seen the best at the end. 6 - Here to atract there attention and not just standing there waiting we have many possibilities. How do you DRESS? Like one of them? You need to STAND OUT, find what suits you better. Use an Amp, music helps atracting them, again NOISE. CURIOSITY , do something that let them thinking ''WHAT THE HELL IS THAT GUY DOING?! It's basically what Pedro Tochas is doing at the start of the video( link above). And if you can read Ken Webber Maximum Entertainment. On page 56 there's a great lesson that will help you with your confidence, for me was gold. Just a couple of final toughts, be prepared to FAIL, to be bad.Like I said the street is a BEAST, with experience it will be easier to control her but even the pros have bad days. The good news is at the end of the day they are not fails, they are just one more lesson learned, one more step to become good. FULL HATS FOR YOU ALEX, Helder
My version of Eddie fetcher "Be Honest What's it?" it's available at Penguin Magic
Check my Facebook group: Mentalism Secrets Email: heldermagico@gmail.com www.facebook.com/heldermagico |
Alex Capra New user Frankfurt, Germany 28 Posts |
Thank you all for answers and support!
Mr.Robert Blake, thank you for taking time for sharing your knowledge. Basically, all the questions were answered, and the best answer finally is just go there again (which I am doing:). Copied your post to a word file (do it regularly at the Café just not to loose posts that I like):) ACR and bell idea - great, will totally use it. Having fun on the street and making noise - already feel a bit more relaxed about it. Using some language things (Russian-German) - works great as well. Darwin Ortiz works are one of the best books on magic I've ever read. But may be it's time to go back to them again and reapply the ideas to the street. As for the group stopping at the end my question was a bit different. What I meant - you built up a crowd, did you show but then a tourist bus is stopping near you, there are 20 people coming out and they see the end of your show (just because they appeared there at the end) and they love it. Should you keep them and start show over again? Other people may stay again as well (even after you hat them) and see the show for the 2nd time (and probably will not pay at the end). mart2, thank you for sharing your experience! I wish zou all the best of luck, we have the whole summer ahead:) Dick Oslund, glad to hear some Russian here!:) You are totally right, I've been thinking recently that most people are first of all interested in themselves, not in the others. And they really have fun when you focus on them and make THEM the important persons. I believe this is the attitude which should be learned, because it really makes people remember you and enjoy your company (in magic and in life). Helder, I've read your posts, they were really interesting. Basically, "keep doing it" (as I already said) is the best possible answer:) But it's always interesting to learn opinions and experiences. I never stand behind my table. I don't even use for a single trick:) Table is just there to make me feel more comfortable and make me seen easier by the people, it's like when promoters in the shop have a table with flyers. I dress so that people understand who I am instantly (will try to post some pics later). Last time I realised that sometimes you may stay there for 15 minutes just waiting for the right moment to start attracting people. And it's totally ok. I now feel much more comfortable with being there then the 1st time. Streets teach you really fast if you are ready to learn:) And thank you for the video, really enjoyed watching it, a loot of good things in terms of audience management! |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Alex!
I "used up" my entire Russian vocabulary last time!!! Besides, there is no Russian alphabet on this infernal "electrisch peckenclacker"! The late Jack Gwynne, back in the '30s and '40s, did an illusion and "many" props act in night clubs after vaudeville faded. He was a great showman and was booked solid for years. To close his act, he did a little torn & restored paper trick. A young magician asked him why he closed with that "little" trick, after all the big painted boxes. Jack replied, "I want them to go home talking about ME, and not those boxes." I had a "bit" of philosophy in college, but, I'm not a Ph.D.!! I'm sure that you realize how important that psychology IS, in performing and entertaining with magic. I often explain to young fellows whom I am mentoring that to be a successful magician, who ENTERTAINS his audience, the magician must realize that the performance must be 5% sleight of hand skill, 5% perceptual illusion, 5% esoteric science principles, PLUS 85% PSYCHOLOGY!!! I think you have learned early the real secrets of entertaining with magic! Those tricks are merely creative tools that we use to "make their day"! Best Wishes! Dick Sneaky, underhanded, devious, and surreptitious itinerant mountebank
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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blue dragon magic New user 41 Posts |
It has been my experience that in the middle of a show and after an effect if the audience applauses anybody wanting to stop don't because they think its the end of your show so I try to keep them from applauding till the end. There are times when I restart my show as the crowd grows I can work forward to the end or backward to the start if I need to shorten my act I can begin in the middle. As for audience management I tell them or direct them where to stand I also explain to them why we need to do this. Most people will follow and understand. Pending on where I perform and size of area and crowd I do short sets to gather them hat them and disperse the crowd and then do it all over if its one of those days where its hard to get a crowd then I use my full show to get the attention and hold them if the crowd gets to big I can end it anywhere before I get in trouble with the police after the first hour the police have noticed you and will watch you by driving by waiting for your show to begin how you manage the crowd is what they watch if you don't address a concern like blocking traffic on road or sidewalk then you will get a visit. If you adress the problem and they don't follow your instructions you will get a visit. Almost always in my experience they will wait until after your show to confront you reason being it may be one or two of them and they can't risk the crowd turning on them the not so smart cops will confront them and you but rarely in which case I get my stuff and move on because it could get ugly crowd versus police and if theres alcohol served nearby I run I will end it right there and go. I take my losses and try else where's or on another day.
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Alex Capra New user Frankfurt, Germany 28 Posts |
I’ve posted this topic a couple of months ago and just wanted to give a short update.
I was trying to work as much as possible and to keep all the advices from this forum in my mind. I normally work from Wednesday to Saturday. Still don’t work on Sunday because my usual pitch is pretty much empty (it’s the busiest shopping street in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday everything is closed). Well, the greatest advice I can now give to anyone who starts with busking – do it and do it a lot. Everything comes from experience. And I’m not saying anything new of course, I just want to say that now I really FEEL it. Only now I start to get understanding of what busking actually is. And only now I start to understand how much I need to learn. You can buy all the wonderful books and DVDs that are on the market and they all provide great advice from professionals. You can read through all the threads on this forum. But it all starts making sense only when you perform. So I’ve seen some people who try to “prepare” by buying lots of instructional materials and reading them before starting. Well, it’s like buying the complete Tarbell Course and reading it before starting to practice your magic. And with busking, practicing is PERFORMING in the street. I now got to the point when I in most cases succeed to make them stop and make them watch. Still a lot of people leave before the end (don’t build up enough suspense), still a lot of people don’t pay (don’t work on my hat lines enough, still feel a bit uncomfortable to mention money being afraid that people leave). But anyway when I started in 50% of the cases I did a couple of tricks for 5 guys and just hoped that they give me something. Now I do my complete show every time. I also felt that it is very easy to “lose yourself”. I will give an example. I met a great guy, an American, doing balloons and some simple magic (in fact more comedy gags) with kids. He makes much more than me and of course he has much more experience (as he said, he does it for 20+ years). He gave me some great and really useful advice and also told me: “Do balloons! When you give a balloon to a kid – you will anyway get something”. And he really is a pro at balloon work and he does it so that it is really entertaining. What I want to say is that there are a lot of things you can do which can increase your profit. Giving balloons seems to be a nice and logical idea. But then I thought – it doesn’t fit in my show in any way. And my show is mainly for adults. So I will keep doing my thing, even though it’s less money now. I also really feel that one of the most important things in street performing is emotional stability. You should really be an “iron man”, nothing should upset you or let you down. And sometimes it is just sooo difficult, when you have a bad day or drunk people or any other kind of unpleasant stuff which happens on a regular basis. Does anyone use some techniques to keep positive thinking? I also was thinking about busking as a promotional tool. I believe that busking is a great way to advertise you and your show. Sometimes people ask me if they can book me (although I haven’t got any booking from the street yet). I am now thinking how you can use some marketing strategies to promote your services. Very often people don’t even realize that they can have you at their event. Do you think that telling people about that during the show might be a good idea? Just saying some funny line before the end of the show (I also do magic for weddings and funerals – just a stupid example but you get the idea)? Also I have an idea of printing flyers with a short description of my services and maybe even a discount code and just giving them away to everyone. But I am a little bit afraid that it may be too much, like I am really begging for job. Anyway, so far it’s going quite good. Only feeling sad that soon it will be cold and rainy and the season will be over. One more time thanks everyone on this forum, it was and is a great inspiration and support for me. |
writeall Special user Midland, Michigan 930 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 24, 2015, Alex Capra wrote: And now you are an inspiration to others. |
gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Hey Alex,
thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts,.. writing them down. I enjoyed the read.. Frankfurt,..'die Zeil', is not one of the world's easiest Pitches. ,it's hard to find "quiet",.. 'piece of mind' there. ,but... I could feel for you! Besides saying, "Thanks!", I wanted to wonder, with you, about: "Does anyone use some techniques to keep positive thinking?" man,..it's really a hard one!,...really. The 'freedom' and 'excitement',.. the 'thrill of the spectacle' often becomes 'day-to-day',.. pretty soon, we come into the ruts, we were trying to avoid in the first place(!). Other "free-spirits", become day-to-day office collegues. The Pitch, becomes 'my spot',.. 'my plot',.. 'my grave'. I think,..believe, hope,... even TRY, to keep the feet dancing. On the move. On the move,....NOT On the run. We change Pitches,.. every Show. We change townes,..after three days of playing. A couple years ago, a BIG breakthru came,.. we worked up a completely different 2nd Show! Not one repeat line(!), trick, song,...or mistake! This was a biggy. This, in combination with cutting the number of Shows per day. We went down from five Shows, to three. ,...flip-flopping the Shows. Another biggy, for us; is the pauses in between Shows(!). We sit them out in Cafés,... but come 'out' of the Show. We don't 'entertain' amongst the folks, in the Café,.. altho some might have seen us. We really "come down". We let the Show flow out of us.... this is really important... we talk about it,... enjoy it,,once more,... but, we let it go,.....flow. Then, before going out again, we talk about the next Show,.. Jokes, Songs, Mistakes from Yesterday,....thoughts. We turn ourselves on. ,....we TRY to work like this(!). When we manage,...we have goood chances! hey,...i'd be interested in what you come up with! ,....what others, as well manage. This is probably the big 'killer', AFTER a guy gets a Show together,... keeping IT up,... keeping THEMSELVES up. (writing,...talking,...sharing,.. thinking with an open mouth,... really helps!) wish you well Alex, gallagher |
EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
Gallagher, I really enjoyed your post.
Thank you...batteries recharged. Showtime. EVILDAN.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
Alex Capra New user Frankfurt, Germany 28 Posts |
Gallagher, thank you for sharing!
True, Zeil is not easy, although I've been only working there till now. I still manage to find some piece of mind, when the show went really good, I just stand there near my table for a while, doing nothing, watching the crowd walking by and relaxing. I also really love when there are other street performers so when I do a lunch break I can watch another show and just think to myself "I am not the only one out there, and it's beautiful!". But sometimes it's just important for me to say to myself: "Well, it's my work and I have to do it, and it doesn't matter if I'm tired or down. These people need me!". Well, I usually don't say the last part:) On the other hand, why not? If not us, who would show them MIRACLES?... PS Second show - sounds great! This idea has already came to my mind, but from practical thoughts. Just to have another 10 minutes show which I can do even if a lot of people from the last show stay there and want to see more. So one day I will certainly do it. |
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